Washing-machine.



A. HUMBERGER.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION H'LED on. a. 1911.

Patented Apr. 15,1919.

'ALoNzo HUMIBERGEB, or cmcaeo, Inmnors.

WASHING-MACHINE. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, AnoNzo HUMBERGER,

of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

- My invention relates towashing machines, and more particularly to those of the-centrifugal. type. llts objects are to provide in a single machine,which may" be of simple construction, the general advantages of washing, rinsing and drying in a succession of closely following operations, and which machine may also be employed for .What is commonly known as dry washing, by which is meant. washing with gasolene or the like. A specific object is to provide, in a centrifu-v gal washer, simple and effective means for continuously turning over and overthe arf ticles being washed whereby the various pore tions of the mass bein other and substantially equally subjected to the action of the cleaning liquid. Another specific ob'ject is to clean at all stages with comparatively clean liquid, and particularly to avoid leaving within the body of the mass being cleaned particles or agglomerations of grease and other dirt, substances Which would be difiicult to rinse out, thereby ac complishing thorough and effective cleaning at a minimum cost of time and materials.

Another specific object is to provide, in a fwa'sher of the character-described, a continuous flow of'the cleaning or rinsing liquid through the centrifugal receptacle, with means for heating the liquid during its travel. Still other specific and general objects and advantages will appear herein.-

. after. 1

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification I have 1llus-.

. .t'rated these improvements in a manner'in- .tcnded to show the several prlnciples 1n-v volved,-as well as to indicate an advantageous structure for accomplishing the desired results. These improvements may be embodied in various other cdnstructions,

however, within considerably wide limits.

i In .these drawings Figure 1 is a vertical medial section of the machine; and F g. 2 1s a sectional' top View of the same;ason the v 7 line 2-'-2 of Fig. 1 viewed in the direction of the arrows. 4

Spe cification of Letters Patent.

cleaned are con. stantly being turned an rubbed upon each Patented Apr. is, rare.

Application filed. October 8, 1917. Serial No. 195,430.

The construction illustrated includes first an outer casing 10, the-side wallof which, as Wlll be noted rom Fig. 2, begins closely adceptacle 25 and gradually departs therefrom in Archi-medean spiral form, the overlap I ping vportion 10 being materially spacedfrom the overlapped portion 10*. The side jacent to the centrifugal inner'drum or re-.

wall 10 and the portion 10 thereof extend I downward a-short distance below the bottom wal1 16 of the drum 25 and these side walls are then continued horizontally to form the bottom wall 11, which bottom Wall 11 iscontinuous with the exceptionof the openings 13- at the middle or axial portions thereof, and lies closely adjacent to the bottom 16 of the centrifugal receptacle 25. The space between the portions 10 and 1.0

of the outer casing is closed by the end wall the position shown in Fig. 2 and beheld there by a latch or bolt 18, thus forming a vertical channel 19 extending downward to the bottom wall 11. An opening 20 in the side wall 10 extends also to or substantially. to the bottom wall'11, and in some uses of the device the door 6 is swung outward and latched so as to close this opening 20'and open the channel space 19 laterally to the main interior of the outer casing 10. J The ,verticalchannel 19 is continued underneath thewall 11, where it is indicated as channel 21. This extension 21 has vertical side walls 23 and 24, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and a lower wall 22, the upper wall thereof being a portion of the wall 11. These side walls 23 and 24 and the bottom wall 22 terminate in the catch basin 26 provided with the outlet valve 27 and further' extensions ofthe channel side walls 23 and 24 terminate in the flame hood .28. A

partition 29 divides. the lower channel 21 from the flame receiving portion of the hood 28. Opening into the flame portion of the hood 28, is the flue 31, which is given several turns in the channel '2]. and numerous turns in the channel 19, this coil 31 opening into the outerair or connected to any suitable suc'tionapparatus to produce' draft at 31. From Fig.2 it willbe observed that I, have provided two such coils 31 the number of which may be increased by. continuingthe overlapped portion 19 as may be desired. Any suitable form of burner may be provided beneath the hood 28 to supply hot air and burning gases to the interior of the coils 31.

The outer casing 19 is covered by the top wall 37 having a central opening 38..

' of the bolts extending into the upwardly inclined surfaces 45. This form of clamping ring is well known inthe mechanic arts.

According to this construction the cover 39 may be placed in covering position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the locking ring 42 then placed upon the plate 39 whereupon by moving the locking ring 42 so that the stems of the bolts 40 pass into the restricted slot openings 41 the heads of the bolts 40 will become engaged with these slanting surfaces 45 respectively, and the cover 39 thus become locked secure y upon the top 37. The cover 39 carries the ball bearing device 48 for the driving shaft .49.

The receptacle or drum 25 is provided with a bottom wall 16 having openings 51 therein about the central stud or hearing member 52, which is rigidly secured to the bottom wall 16 as by rivets. The bearing member 52 rests upon a plurality of antifriction balls 53 carried by reinforcing structure 54 rigidly secured to the bot-tom wall 11 The drum 25 has a continuous side Wall 56 having inwardly extending riblike project-ions, preferably in the form of continuous corrugations arranged in spiral form, the spirals extending from the bottom to the top, as well illustrated in Fig. 1.

The drum 25 has also a top wall 57 having a central opening 58 therein, which opening is provided with the cover 59 held rigidly in position by the bolts and wing nuts 60. The driving shaft 49 is rigidly secured to the cover plate 59 as by the flanged connection 61 riveted thereto.

\ Between the 'channel 21 and the openings 13 and 51 about-the stud bearing 52 1 provide a filter 64 slidably and removably mounted in suitablcguides 65, the filter being of the width of channel 21, or as defined by the space between the dotted lines 23 and 24 of Fig. 2. This filter may be composed of sea sponge, artificial sponge, charcoal, burnt clay or any other suitable filter ingmaterial. It is preferably made in the form of a plate-like unitary structure in sertible into and removable from the device at will, as indicated in Fig. 1.

recipes The. centrifugal sheet metal drum suitably a ertured with a large number of tile device. Various other forms of formalnous material may be employed.

@Wing to. the fact that the centrifugal container 25 rotates somewhat more rapidly than the loose mass of clothing or the like within it, which mass is maintained by centrifugal force against the side walls 55, the effect of the spiral corrugations is to cause the outer edge portions of the mass to creep upward along the sides 55 and turn and thus the mass being cleaned is continu- 89 over inward when they reach the top thereof,

ously being turned over and over, the various portions being thereby rubbed and scrubbed upon other portions thereof and upon the walls of the drum, all with advantageous cleaning efi'cct. The'outer top wall or cover 37 may be readily removed by unscrewing. the wing nuts 70. I provide also a cover 71 hinged at 72 for the vertical channel 19. The device as a whole is suitably supported by legs 73.

" .When it is desired to use the device ion practical operations the clothing or the like is inserted into the drum 25 through the openings 38 and 58 at the top, the covers 39 and 59 being carried out of the way by moving them, together with the shaft l9," in a vertical direction. The device may be t 10a charged with "the cleaning liquid either through the openings 38 and 58;, or directly 1 into the vertical channel 19, the lid 71 being turned back therefor. The burner adapted to supply the heat is started and the rotation oft-he drum 25 begun. This rotation will be in such direction that the screw-threadlike projections in the side wall thereof will tend to thread their way downward into the mass of clothing or the like, thc action boingto lift the peripheral portions of the mass upward, thus turning the mass as hcrcinabove described. The cleaning liquid will be forced through t-he aperturcs 67 into the outer casing 10, and owing to the spiral arrangcment of the outer .wall 10 the. liquid will be forced around to the channel 19. It is to be understood that during the cleaning operation with the liquid the door 6 will have been swung out, of the position shown in Fig. 2 and secured along the side wall 10 so as to close the opening 20 there. The

cleaning liquid therefore passes directly to' the vertical channel space 19 and owing to the suction action from below at the openings 13 and 51 as Well as to the centrifugal action of the liquid in the drum, the liquid is forced through the filter 64, leaving behind the masses ofemulsified grease and dirty substances freed by the-action of the soapy water or other cleaning liquid. .This

' through the clothing or the like with the o fluid supplyperiod when the liquid The channels 19 and 91 may conveniently befiushed at this time, after wh ch clean cleaning action continues forv a suificient and the dirt substances are drawn ofi through the valve 27.

water is inserted into the channel 19 and the rotation continued for rinslng the clothing or the like in the drum. For the rmsmg ac-v tion the filter 64 may be removed'if desired.

During the drying operation. the rotation of the drum is continued, the filter preferably being removed, the air circulatingsame course of travel as did the liquid. It

' is pointed out as an important feature that the air may be heated by the coils 31 to quicken the drying operation. It is also pointed out that initially, or after the washing operation, water or other fluid may be admitted to the machine through the valve 27 'by any-well-known system or arrangement of pipes and valves connected to the I have thus provlded a device by which the various desired results pointed out are ments of the several features shown and deattained with-notable expedition andfeflect. In view of the possible variety of e1nbo di-.

scribed reference should be had to the appended claims to determine what is contemplated by me as being withinthe scopeof drum having side and bottom walls mounted the improvements herein setforth.

I claim: I 1'. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side andbottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a casing around the sides and bottom-of "said drum, said casing having its side wall gradually diverging spirally in a direction away fromthe drum, and walls forming a channel for the cleaning liquid in communication with the interior of the easing at'a place where the casing wall is materially farther from the drum than are other portions of the casing.

2. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous 1 for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a casing around the sides and bottom of said drum, said casing having its side wall gradually divergingspirally in'a direction away from the drum, walls forming a channel for the cleaning liquid in communication with the interior of the casing at a place where the casing wall is materially farther from the drum than are other portions of the casing, said channel opening into said casing atja lower portion thereof, the'lower portion of said drum having n.

opening through which the cleaning liquid may enter the drum from the lower portion of the casing;

3. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation, on a substantially vertical axis, acasing arou'nd the'sides and bottom of said drum, said casing having its side Walls gradually diverging spirally in a direction away from the drum, and wallsforming a channel for the cleaning liquid in communication withthe interior of the casing at a place where the casing wall is materially farther from the drum; than are other portions of the casing, said channel openinginto said casing at a lower portion thereof, thelower portion of said drum having an opening'through which the cleaning liquid may enter the drum from the lower portion of the casing, and a filter in the path of liquid flowing to the lower part of the "casing when the device is normally in use.

4. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination ofaforaminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on-a substantially vertical axis, a casing around the sides and bottom ofsaid drum, the side wall of said casing being substantially close to the side of the drum at .one portion thereof and gradually diverging away from the drum spirally, portions of the casing substantially overlapping each other in materially spaced apart relation, an end wall closing t e space between said overlapped portions,

walls forming a channel in communication with the space between said overlapped portions of the casing,said channel opening to th'e'interior of the casing in the lower portion thereof.

5. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum mounted for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis. a casing around the sidesjan'd bottom of-said drum, the side wall of said casing being substantially close to the side of the drum at one portion thereof and gradually diverging away from the g drum spirally, portions of the casingsubstantially overlapping each other in matethe space between said overlapped portions,

with a space between said overlapped portions of the casing, said channel opening to the interior of the casing in the lower portion thereof, and a readily removable filter in said channel.-

6. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous rially. spaced apart relation. a wall closing .walls'forming a channel in communication substantial] stantially overlapping each other in materially spaced apart relation, a wall closing the space'between said overlapped portions, and walls forming a channel in communication with the lower portion of the space between said overlapped portions of the casing, said channel opening to the interior of the casing in the lower portion thereof, said drum hav-- ing an opening in the lower portion thereof for admitting cleaning liquid thereinto from the lower portion of the casing.

7. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a casing around'the sides and bottom of said drum, the bottom of said casing and the bottom of said drum having an opening to admit cleaning fluid therethrough, walls forming a channel for the fluid leading from side portions of the casing to said openings, and a hopper-like collecting receptacle in said channel.

8. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a casing around the sides and bottom of :said drum, the bottom of said casing and the bottom of said drum having an opening to admit clcaning fluid therethrough, Walls ,forming a channel for the fluid leading from side portions of the easing to said openings, a hopper-like collecting receptacle in said channel, and a filter above said receptacle and in the path 0 liquid flow from-said channel to the interior of the drum. 7

9. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a casing around the sides and bottom of said drum, the bottom of said casing and the bottom of said drum having an openin' to admit cleanin fluid therethroug Walls forming a c annel for the fluid leadingfrom side portions of the easing to saidopenings, ahopper-like collecting receptacle in said channel, and a filter in said channel.

' 10. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a substantially inclosed foraminous drum mounted for rotation, a substantially inclosed casing for said drum, walls for-min a channel for collecting 'the'cleaning liquid discharged from the drum, said-channel opening into said casing, said drum having an opening to admit the cleaning fluid from the casing to the interior of the drum, and a filter intermediate the interior of the drum and the portion of the casing where the liquid is collected for flow through said channel.

11. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a foraminous drum mounted to rotate'therein, said drum having on its side wall a plurality of projections inwardly extending and arranged spirally, for the purpose described.

12-. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a foraminous drum mounted torotate therein, said drum having on its side wall a plurality of rib-like projections inwardly extending and arranged spirally, for the purpose described. l w

13. In a washing machine of the'character described, the combination of a casing, a

foraminous drum mounted to rotate therein, said drum havin on its side wall a plurality of corrugations arranged spirally, for" the purpose described.

14:. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis. a casing around the sides and bottom of said drum, said drum having on its side walls inwardly extending projections arranged-fv spirally, for the purpose described.

15. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a casing around the sides and bottom of said drum, said drum havingits side walls corrugated with spiral pro1ections, for the purpose described.

16. Ina washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on .a substantially vertical axis, acasing around the sides and bottom of said drum, said drum having. its side walls corrugated with spiral projec tions, walls forming a channel leading from the interior of side portions of the casin' to the interior of bottom portions thereo the drum having an o ening in the bottom portion thereof to receive liquid thereinto.

, 17. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a casing around the sides and bottom of said drum, said casing having its side wall gradually diverging spirally in a direction away from the drum, walls forminga channel for the cleaning liquid in communication with the interior of the casing neonate terior of the casing to the space indicated as. said channel.

j 18. In a washingmachin e of the character described, the combination of a foraminous drum having side and bottom walls mounted for centrifugal vertical axis, a casing around the sides and bottom of said drum, the side wall of said casing being substantially close to the side of the drum at one portion thereof and gradually diverging away from'the drum spirally, portions of the casing substantially overlappin each other in materially spaced apart relation, an end wall closing the space between said overlapped portions, an inner wall between said overlapped portions, said inner wall being movably mounted whereby the same may be moved into and out of channel forming position, walls forming a channel in communication with the space between said overlapped ortions of'the casing, said channel opening to the interior of the casing in the lower portion thereof.

19. The combination w1th the relatively fixed casing of a centrifugal washing chine having a rotatable drum therein, of

walls forming a channel adjacent to the body of said casing, one of saidwalls being movrotation on a substantially.

ably mounted to open said channel into the 7 interior of said cas1ng..

20. The combination with the relatively fixed casing of a centrifugal washing machine having a rotatable drum thereln, of walls forming a channel adjacent to the body of said casing, one of said walls having an opening from the interior of said channel to the interior of said casing, and door means for closing said opening.

21. The combination with the relatively fixed casing of a centrifugal washing machine having a rotatable drum therein, of walls forming a channel adjacent to the body of said casing, one of said walls being hingedly mounted to form a door to open said channel into the interior of said casing, said casing having an openin to the outer air adjacent to said door, sald door being mounted to close said casing opening.

22. The combination with the re atively fixed casing of a centrifugal washing machine having a roatable drum therein, of walls forming a channel adjacent to the body of said casing, said channel having an opening to the outer air, and a movable door for closing said opening.

ALONZO HUMBERGER.

Witnesses:

F. L. SCHUMACHER, WM. KLEINSOHMIUI. 

